Breastfeed your babies soon after delivery, expert advises nursing mothers

Dr Folashade Oludara, Director, Family Health and Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health has advised nursing mothers to breast feed their babies soon after delivery.

This is for such babies get colostrum, which will guard them against infections.

Oludara made the call while speaking with our correspondent in Lagos on the activities marking the 2017 World Breastfeeding Week.

According to her, colostrum, the first milk that comes out once a mother gives birth, is regarded as a child’s first immunisation.

She spoke with our correspondent on the sidelines of Annual Media Forum on Family Planning/Child Spacing organised by the Development Communications Network (Devcoms).

The occasion was in collaboration with the Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI) and the Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH).

The theme for 2017 World Breastfeeding day is: “Sustaining Breastfeeding-Together”.

Oludara said, “Every nursing mother should exclusively breastfeed the baby from birth to up to six months.

“The colostrum, the first milk that comes out once a mother gives birth, must be given to the child because that is the first immunisation the child takes.

“Colostrum is a clear, thick and sticky liquid produced by a mother’s mammary glands after a child’s birth

“It is a God-given immunisation, packed with natural antibodies and nutrients; it prevents the child from infections, diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomforts.’’

“Colostrum is produced in small quantity for the first four days and then replaced with a lighter and thinner liquid

“It should not be pressed out; it gives the baby a chance to fight against bacteria, parasites and disease causing pathogens.

“There is also misconception that it colostrum dirty, it is not.

“The colour and thickness of colostrum are due to the fact that it is rich in protein and carbohydrate, has low sugar content and fat, compared to other milks”, she said.

Oludara further urged nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies exclusively for six months before introducing complementary feeding.

“Mothers should breast feed their babies exclusively for six months after which complementary feeding should start, alongside breastfeeding.

“Complementary feeding is just the introduction of adult diet to the child.

“Continue to breastfeed the child till the child is two years at least, so that the child’s cognitive development will be perfect and the child will mature well.

“Breastfeeding also increases mother to child bonding.’’

Our correspondent reports that World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated annually from August 1 to August 7, to create awareness on the importance of breast feeding newborn.